The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-18
FARMS AND FARMMRS.
Short Talks with Men Who Guide
the PlOW.
QUESTIONS oNFARM TopICsANSwERED
Digging and Saving Sweet Potatoes.

promptly with white or light color. Waiting
nntll after light frost is, we think, pretty
good rule, because, first, the ripening of the
tuDers develops more and more with the
closing OF the growing season. When the
nights become cool and the days short, vegeta-
zion begins to prepare for its winters sleep.
Growth slackens and substances dissolved in
the sap change to insoluble and more
permanent forms, to be stored away till new
growth in the spring makes demands upon
them again. AS rule, therefore, the longer
dlgg1ng IS delayed, the more matured or ripper
the tubers are likely to be. Because, second,
anything disposed to rot can be kept sound and
unchanged better in cool weather than in
hot Early dug potatoes are quite apt to rot
from being overheated.
But sometimes the necessary ripeness of the
fubers may be brought about by dry weather
as etfectually as by that which is cool The
indications are that the leaves turn yellow and
growth ceases; and then those changes in the
plant referred to above follow. In such case,
If the weather is moderately cool, and espec-
tally if dry, it is well to dig. The danger is
that dry weather. followed by rain and a high
temperature, may start new growth of the
vines, and cause the tubers to Sprout. This,
when it happens, upsets the winter arrange
ment, disturbs the equilibrium and paves the
way for rotting of the tubers.
The point then is to dig the tubers when
they are in a quiescent state, and if possible
after the weather is settled cool. and after
wards keep them quiescent. How is this to be
done? First dig if possible, when the
ground is dry. The skin of the potato
in contact with dry earth becom itself
drier and frmer-its pores contract, and it
protects the substance of the potato more
fully from atmospheric influences or from
germs which induce rotting. Why does a cut
potato, as o rule, rot more readily than one
which is not; because a surface unprotected
by skin is exposed to the air. A good dry
hard skin is therefore desirable, and digging
when the ground is dry, helps to supply this
But it may be asked if drying in the sun when
they are dug wet, would not accomplish the
same result. 1t might, so far as mere drying
is concerned but it is possible that the rot
germs floating in the atmosphere, might lodge
on the potato and find entrance before the dry
ing was completed, and it is certain that the
heat of the sun would stimulate changes in
the substances of the potato which might end
in rotting 1t is very generally conceded that
Irish potatoes keep better if not exposed to
the sun when being dug. Why not the sweet
potato also? Dig, therefore, when dry, and
keep dry afterwards.
Second-Keep potatoes COOL Why? Be-
cause, as just said, heat stimulates chemical
changes-vital ones also. Every one knows
that these go on more or less during the win
ter. The old-fashioned yam becomes sweeter
towards spring, because its starch has been
gradually changed into sugar Now such
changes may degenerate into rotting; if pushed
too far they certainly will A low temperature
is the most effective means of keeping in check
either vital or chemical changes-nota freezing
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES a new element comes in
then-the tissues Of the potato are ruptured by
freezing-but a temperature, say of 40 degrees,
If it could be had. In our climate, however,
this is not practicable. The best we can do is
to keep potatoes at uniform temperature of
from so TO 70 degrees. This is near the
mean annual temperature in the south,
and can be appropriated in prop
erly constructed hills. These
should be constructed in the usual manner, the
base slightly elevated and ditch around it for
drainage. If the ground is dry and cool, it is
not necessary or advisable to put straw or
leaves on the base Pile the potatoes directly
on the ground, but it is all important to cover
them with straw or other good non-conductor of
heat. On the,same principle that ice is sur
rounded with sawdust or chaff, to prevent
heat from without reaching it, so potatoes
should be wrapped well with something SINH
lar to prevent the heat in them from escaping
and passing out during very cold weather.
Heat is of course. passing out from a potato
hill during very cold weather, but if it does
not escape too rapidly, the hill can get from
the earth directly under it,, as much as it
loses. If straw is placed underneath the pota-
toes they are cut off largely from
this source of heat. A thick coating of straw,
Al 10 - |,
over tho straw arc the proper conditions.
Why dirt over the straw? To confne the air
mingled with the straw and the potatoes, cur
rents of air coming out and going in would
change the temperature within the hill very
decidedly, The dirt also serves more Oh less
like the straw as non-conductor, and may be
Increased in thickness with increasing cold
In our coolest winters we have not found
foot of dirt on potato hills too much. When
the hills are first made allow ample ventila-
ton at the top, because the hill when first put
mp is apt to be too warm, the weather being
still warm, and because the potatoes undergo
some change soon after they are banked,
''sweatng' as it is usually termed, and the at
tendant heat and moisture should be allowed
to escape. As the weather gets colder these
reasons cease to exist, and the covering should
be completed and increased as the season
advances. w. L. j.
F.B. s. T.. Haslin, Beaufort Co., N. c.: have
horse that has pule1 place on his knee joint on
lhe flolt part think it was caused from wearing
n yoke when colt; it has never bothered him until
now he llmps little now and then. I opened it
and it ran bloody water and in few hours filed
mp again, and seems now to be very sore. Can you
tell what to do for it, to carry it away or stop lame
ness?
The trouble of your horse is probably spawn,
that is Inflammation of the joint, involving
the lining membrane of the joint and possibly
the extremities of the bones. SPAWN is usu-
ally located in the hook joint, but we have
seen cases Of a very similar disease in the
knee. The enlargement is caused by excess of
Joint fluid the result Of inflammation. When
the tuner is opened and this runs out, a new
portion is quickly secreted again. Blistering
is the most promising treatment. Remove the
hair over the tumor and rub in well the iodide
of mercury ointment, one drachm Of the mer-
curry to an ounce of lard. The next day grease
with lard, and do this daily till the blister gets
well. If necessary, apply the mercury again
in eight or ten days. The horse must be kept
absolutely at rest, must not be allowed toreach